Horror. Tony's Uncle Charlie has always been odd -- it's one of the things he has in common with seventh-grader Tony, who shares his offbeat interest in the supernatural. After Uncle Charlie dies suddenly, Tony is so heartbroken that he's actually comforted when he starts seeing Uncle Charlie's ghost. Less comforting is Tony's new school, where students go missing, spirits haunt secret passageways, and no one is what they seem. Pairing a suspenseful plot with otherworldly chills, School of the Dead is just creepy enough to please fans of mystery and horror alike.

Mystery. A murder at a fancy tennis club shakes up an otherwise boring summer for 12-year-old Evie and her best friend Chelsea. Both of them could use some distraction from their own troubles: Evie is bullied and treated like an outcast because of her weight, while Chelsea is still dealing with the abuse in her past. Shadowing the police detectives assigned to the case, the two girls search for hidden clues and uncover disturbing secrets, revealing a multi-layered puzzle that will keep even the most savvy mystery readers guessing all the way to the end.

Fiction. Before the crash, Wayne couldn't shut up. He'd fill in any awkward moments (and he has plenty) with bits of memorized trivia. But after surviving a plane crash on the way home from his uncle's funeral, Wayne temporarily loses his voice. This newfound silence spurs changes in his relationships with his disappointing dad, his sorta-kinda-girlfriend, and his drill sergeant grandpa (who may turn out to be an unexpected ally). Even when he can't speak, Wayne's funny, sarcastic voice comes through loud and clear in this story about "survival, heroism, and the search for strength" (School Library Journal).

Fiction. It only takes one cringe-inducing incident to bring Fiona's social life to a crashing halt. When a group of mean girls read her diary out loud on the bus, Fiona is mortified, but the real sting comes later, when her best friend Cassie gives her the cold shoulder. Now, Fiona is facing a summer full of drama -- dealing with her family, her crush, and her attempts at making new friends -- without the one person she can confide in. Relatable, diverse characters add authenticity to this heartfelt companion book to Drive Me Crazy. For another earnest look at middle school friendships, try Rebecca Stead's Goodbye Stranger.

Thriller. Penned by New York Times best-selling author Roland Smith and Michael Spradlin, the I,Q mystery series keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Q (Quest) and his stepsister, Angela, try to thwart the activities of the terrorist ghost cell that is following them across the country.

Thriller. When 3 thugs of the Tiger's vicious band of criminals kidnap an important Swiss banker and the son of master spy John Chance, it is up to John and his clever daughter to find a way to free him from his prison far away in a remote Scottish castle before the Tiger makes his next move.

In a futuristic United States enclosed within an invisible barrier reputed to shut out bizarre creatures and superhumans who were transformed by an enemy weapon, Rachel receives a mysterious cry for help from the other side of the barrier that forces her to make a difficult choice.

Dystopian Thriller. In a bleak, dusty future ravaged by climate change, Devin is lucky to grow up on one of the world's few remaining farms. But after his grandfather's death, Devin is unable to survive on his own. He winds up in the Gabriel H. Penn Home for Childhood, a luxurious orphanage where everything seems perfect...too perfect. Richly descriptive writing and steady pacing ramp up the tension as Devin uncovers the home's chilling secrets. This dark, gripping read is a solid choice for dystopian fiction fans and mystery readers alike. Older readers looking for a more horrific twist on a similar tale should try Clive Barker's The Thief of Always.

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